Last April 26 was Firstborn’s School Recognition Day. He placed second honors. I attended the recognition together with my three other boys. Sadly, my other son should have been part of the program as well but was stripped of all his privileges when he allegedly bullied a classmate. My grade 7 boy received Needs Improvement grade in Conduct which meant he is no longer eligible for any honors. He should have placed third given his consistent impressive academic grades.

Anyway, as we were walking toward the school auditorium, Second Son bumpedintoa classmate. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you got an award?” was the boy’s question to my son. My boy had humbled himself in reply, “I am here for my brother. I got none.” And though I was several steps away, I heard the classmate’s rather teasing answer, “Hahahaha. Maynigo has no award. Hahahaha.”

My 11-year-old boy, who must have felt the mockery thrown to his brother quickly asked the classmate, “How about you? Why are you here?” The classmate proudly replied, “I got perfect attendance award!” To which my Big Bunso uttered an exasperated snort, “That was it? Perfect attendance only?”

The classmate who was full of confidence that moment suddenly backed out and shied away.

For today’s story, I read to my 20-month-old son the story of The Goat and the Goatherd. After reading the Aesop’s Fable, I made this entry straight away. A similar incident happened two days ago which my boys need to understand and learn something from.

The Goat and the Goatherd

Do not attempt to hide things which cannot be hid

A Goat strayed away from the flock, tempted by a patch of clover. The Goatherd tried to call it back but in vain. It would not obey him. Then he picked up a stone and threw it, breaking the Goat’s horn.

One Sunday, I went to the boys’ room and saw my Big Bunso counting his savings. “Wow, you’ve got plenty of savings, my son. What will you buy or do with your money?” was my question.

My young man looked up at me and said in a timid tone, “Nothing mama. I just want to save a lot until I got so many money. I do not want to spend them. Counting my savings makes me happy.”

This did not please Momi Berlin. Though I am proud that my son knows how to save, I told him the story of The Miser and His Gold. I hope the story would teach him a lesson just like it taught the miser.

My second son went home one day with a Tupperware of banana cupcakes. He handed the plastic container to me. “I already ate some, and these are for you,” he told me.

“Where did these came from,” was my question. He relayed to me his classmate’s mother baked them for him.

Then I smiled and thanked my son for sharing the banana cupcakes. But more than the food, I hope my son appreciated the lesson behind the banana cupcakes. It would surely make him the most compassionate man.

I do not want to judge people, but I got hurt by the actions of one person I consider a friend. Or perhaps she is just so busy with life, and I am just impatient.

This friend asked help on her website. I referred her to the person who helped me set up my blog. In time, my web programmer friend was able to detect the problem and was able to clean the blog and recommended solutions. They were still half way through the process, and the blogger friend told me her husband (who is a web designer) might get mad if he learned of her actions asking help from others. I asked her what will be our next action.

We both agreed to stop what my web programmer friend has started. But I asked for her kind consideration to pay what is due to the person who helped with her blog. She agreed.

Days passed, and payday came, but she seemed not answering my messages. I asked my web programmer friend if he already received payment, and he told me none.

Spongebob Squarepants is often found to be annoying by his rude neighbor Squidward and even by some mothers. I had the chance to see a few episodes and I must say that there are learnings despite the nonsensical adventures of the lead character.

Sea Spongebob who lives in a pineapple under the sea is the most optimistic character I have even seen.

As a fry cook at Mr. Krabs’ fast food restaurant, he displays a strong passion for his job and is indeed very excited to report for work. He is often saddened whenever he cannot be at Mr. Krabs’ kitchen. He extremely enjoys frying Krabby patty and takes good care of his spatula. He never affects himself of Squidward’s poor performance at the Krusty Krab.

Displaying the same optimism that of Spongebob, I, however, used to hop from one job to another during my early career in Marketing. Complaining about rotten bosses, lack of training, meager compensation, and so on were stories told — before.

Spongebob and his best friend Patrick’s jellyfishing is portrayed as a cheap, fun, and always in-season hobby . One only needs a jellyfish net and a jar. Spongebob recommends eyeglasses for safety. Funny as he always is, he uses goggles though in one episode.

Should I hone my limited skills in writing, which requires a pen and paper only, I may not have wasted thousands of peso buying DMC threads and aida clothes NOW all neatly arranged inside an equally expensive cabinet waiting for its owner to dust them off every so often. Point is, my enthusiasm and energy level returned to down normal that I cannot find enough inspiration to kick-start my cross stitching.

Instead of taking the most logical approach to everyday challenges, Spongebob deals life in an unconventional way. Too wayward that most bikini bottom sea creatures especially Squidward finds him annoying.

In the Idiot Box episode, for instance, Spongebob bought a brand new TV, trashed the big television set, and kept the giant box just so he and Patrick could play inside the box. “Who needs a television when one has his (makes a rainbow with his hands) IMAGINATION,” Spongebob claims. With I- Mag-In-A-Tion (lifting his arms above his head then a sparkly rainbow appearing), one can be anything he wants to be.

I am Squidward who thinks Spongebob and Patrick have become more stupid. I prefer the giant television set than be inside the box and use my imagination. Though I am dying to know how my grilled chicken would taste if I have the farm fresh mushroom or Mornay cheese, I still prefer my tried and tested old teriyaki sauce.

Spongebob is kind to Squidward. There may have been more than a dozen episodes when Squidward says NO to Spongebob’s constant insisting, but Spongebob still keeps asking. Despite Squidward’s rudeness, Spongebob never tires to be nice to Squidward and even tags him as a best friend.

I do not have that character. I resent those who resent me and think ill about them sometimes. I sometimes rejoice knowing that my archrival is in pain or in trouble. I think of her as generally very evil who uses every given chance to steal my happiness. I consider her my Sheldon Plankton.

November 10, 2010

* It’s just great to backread and reflect on these writings. That was me six years ago and now, I may say I have learned my lessons and now enjoy babysitting my seven-month-old boy. I stopped looking for jobs as I have accepted to be a mother to my boys and blog / write when I have the time. I may say I have learned to just pause and smile rather than be aggressive and confrontational. I have learned what patience can do and be nice than smirk and make someone’s day miserable.